By SYDNEY KENT
A former Bluffton YMCA Early Childcare Center employee was recently arrested on felony-level charges for child molestation in Whitley County.
David Michael Jackson, 41, Bluffton, is facing two counts of child molesting, both Level 1 felonies, and one count of child molesting, a Level 4 felony. If convicted, Jackson could face between 20-40 years in prison.
According to a probable cause affidavit, charges were filed in June after a former foster child in Jackson’s care reported years of sexual abuse.
The victim reported that he was six years old when the abuse began and that it continued until he was 13.
Jackson initially denied the allegations and requested to take a lie detector test. When asked if he sexually abused the victim, he reportedly said “no” while nodding his head up and down. Jackson failed the lie detector test.
Parents learned of the charges from a letter sent from the YMCA ELC executive director. That letter was shared with The News-Banner from a parent of a child at the center.
“An employee who had been a substitute member of our ELC team was arrested in Whitley County in connection with multiple child-related charges,” the letter reads. “A subsequent investigation resulted in additional charges from Wells County.”
The letter also stated that rigorous background testing is performed and child safety is of the utmost importance. Jackson reportedly has not worked at the facility since May.
On July 26, new charges for child molesting, a Level 4 felony, were filed in the Wells Circuit Court. The charge date from the offense stems from January 2021.
In his interview with detectives, Jackson allegedly said that he was “accused by someone else” in the past. He did not clarify details.
However, as of the time of publication, the case has been removed from my case and the Odyssey system. It is unclear if the charges in Wells County are still pending.
Jackson reportedly told police that some child sexual offenders may have “accidentally” abused the child, and should not get a life sentence for an accident.
Jackson then substantiated one of the victim’s claims when he offered to detectives that one of the alleged incidents of abuse did occur accidentally.
From there, Jackson continued to admit to various incidents of sexual abuse. In one instance, he said there was a 50% chance that the allegations were correct.
Jackson’s bond was set at $250,000. He is scheduled for a pretrial conference in the matter at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 26 in the Whitley Circuit Court.
sydney@news-banner.com
